2014 Chevy Malibu: Here It Is

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Following a lukewarm reception of the completely re-engineered and re-designed 2013 Chevy Malibu, General Motors has just pulled the wraps off the updated 2014 Malibu at a media event in Detroit this morning.

The comprehensive message is that the vehicle has been improved and re-calibrated across the board, with updated styling, a roomier and more refined interior, revised powertrains, and suspension enhancements.

Nearly 14 percent more torque from the available 2.0L turbo engine – 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm) – engineered for a greater feeling of power on demand

Suspension enhancements derived from the all-new 2014 Impala engineered to contribute to a more refined driving experience

New available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features

“We made changes within 18 months, demonstrating an unprecedented commitment to make the Malibu the best car it can be,” said Ken Kelzer, executive chief engineer, global full-size and midsize cars. “The 2014 Malibu has been engineered to deliver more precise ride and handling that is on par with more expensive sports sedans.”

The 2014 Malibu goes on sale this fall.

Exterior Design

The most noticeable difference for the 2014 Chevy Malibu is the exterior design, which has received a noteworthy update. Chevy says that the front-end design is influenced by the all-new 2014 Impala, thereby creating a more cohesive look across Chevrolet’s sedan lineup.

The front-end design changes feature a new and more prominent lower grill, a hood that extends down and over the leading edge of a narrow upper grille, while the grille openings (with black a black grille texture) are wider and accented with chrome.

Interior Design

First and foremost: yes, the 2014 Malibu’s cabin features redesigned seats that result in greater rear-seat space and greater comfort — thereby addressing what has possibly been the biggest complaint of the 2013 model. The front seatbacks are shaped to improve rear-seat knee room, while the rear seat cushions feature new sculpting and revised cushion material to allow passengers to sit deeper in the seats.

Designers trimmed roughly half an inch from the front of the rear seat cushion to increase comfort behind passengers’ legs.

Outside of the changes to the seats, the 2014 Malibu features a redesigned center console with a longer armrest for greater comfort. There’s also a pair of cup holders and dedicated storage for two cell phones.

Improved Powertrains

The 2014 Malibu has a new base engine in the all-new four-cylinder Ecotec 2.5L DOHC with direct injection and Intake Valve Lift Control. The four-banger’s variable intake valve actuation enhances efficiency and helps lower emissions, while also enhancing low-rpm torque for a greater feeling of power at lower speeds. When the iVLC system operates in low-lift mode, the engine pumps only the air it needs to meet the driver’s demand. The system switches to high-lift mode at higher speeds or under heavy loads, providing the full output capability of the engine.

In addition, the 2.5L has start/stop technology that shuts down the engine to save fuel when the vehicle stops momentarily (such as at stoplights), contributing to an estimated 5-percent increase in city fuel economy. The engine automatically starts again when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake. An auxiliary battery powers electric accessories such as the climate system, power windows and radio during engine restarts.

The new 2.5L is SAE-certified at 196 horsepower (145 kW) and 186 lb-ft of torque (253 Nm). Revised transmission shift points and quicker shifts also enhance the feeling of performance while delivering greater refinement.

The 2014 Malibu’s optional 2.0L Ecotec turbo engine continues to make 259 horsepower (193 kW), but it now delivers nearly 14 percent more torque than its predecessor — an SAE-certified at 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). The increase is the result of new engine calibration and tuning, making the Malibu 2.0L turbo’s torque the best in the segment. In fact, the 2.0L turbo in the 2014 Malibu delivers more torque than competing six-cylinder-engines, resulting in a stronger feeling of acceleration from a stop and a greater feeling of power on demand in almost all driving conditions.

Refined Chassis

The 2014 Malibu features chassis and suspension updates inspired by the all-new 2014 Impala, contributing to a more refined driving experience.

Possibly the most notable update to the refreshed Malibu’s suspension are rebound springs that are internal to the struts, enabling more refined calibration of the dampers for a smoother overall ride while improving body roll control and weight transfer during acceleration or turning. This helps keep the wheels planted, contributing to a more precise, controlled feel — especially while cornering.

In addition, electric power rack-and-pinion variable-effort power steering is standard and not only saves fuel, but enables nearly effortless low-speed maneuvers and a higher degree of steering feel at higher speeds. Engineers revised higher-effort calibrations of the 2014 Malibu to improve the overall steering feel. Meanwhile, the brake system has been re-calibrated to make for a more confident feel.

Enhanced Safety

The 2014 Malibu offers new Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features, adding to the vehicle’s 10 standard air bags and already-strong 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score in the New Car Assessment Program from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a 2013 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both of which are the highest ratings possible.

Can someone explain to me how this debuts before we even have pricing or colors for the SS??? I know I bitch about this a lot and I apologize if I sound like a broken record, but I don’t get how the SS is debuting in 4-5 months and this simple information is not yet public….

Exchange rates my friend. I have the feeling they are waiting till later to see how much the value of the American dollar is before they lock the cars price in. No need for a price till you can buy one anyways.

The options are listed on the one GM site already too and have been for a while.

Besides we already have a good ball park idea of the price.

As for this car this is the one that is the volume car that provides cash flow. GM needs to make sure this one does better till they can replace this car.

The SS fails it is not a big deal but if the Malibu does not do better it affects the bottom line.

I like ‘dat, where the party at! Love the new beak. I’m glad they didn’t screw it up. I like the Ford ‘Fission and the Altima, but I think this ‘Boo has a stronger look with that big split-grille and Chevy emblem- it has more character IMHO. The new styling brings out the “powerdome” hood more.

I have a 2013 chevy Malibu LT Champagne silver I love this car more than my 2010 Malibu 2 LT….great looks,mileage,fit & finish, quality, the new front is nice but so is the old one….same good looking tail lights, the new console now has a hand brake ?

I can’t say it’s attractive, if anything it’s a bit much; like Honda got ahold of it. Was the old front suffering from a lack of creases? Is this a better fit for the rest of the car’s styling? And what’s up with those headlights? They look like they’ve gone back in time.

I’m glad they’ve made improvements elsewhere, but unless this is just a bad picture I don’t predict consumers are going to suddenly flock to it.

I didn’t have a problem with the old front end, this one is just meh. Don’t hate it, but it’s not the baby Impala I was led to believe it would be, and not much of (if any) improvement… just different. What I do hate is the new console, where did that space-wasting antequated e-brake come from? It forced one cupholder up too far, which also makes the shifter too close to the driver. Oh yea, I don’t care how much torque that premium fuel drinking turbo has, I want a 300hp V6 under the hood!

If given the choice of one I would take the turbo any day. Keep in mind until I owned and lived with this engine I never wanted a 4 or a Turbo. This engine has changed my mind.

As of yet I have not seen premium required. These engines here are normally Premium recommended which means you have the choice.

With mine I see 290 HP 315 FT LBS and 25 City and 32 Highway. My V6 can not even come close to that. If I drove it easy I may get a MPG or two more with the turbo.

To anyone who has not drive or owned one of these engine you really can no know what it is able to do and how it feels.

More power is easy with only a couple 3 bar maps and a computer flash. It was worth 5 HP in my case. GM will have these tune kits soon for these cars as they stated they are working on them now. I expect the BU, Regal and ATS to get them.

Andy there has been a reliable way to make your Cobalt SS 280 HP and 320 LB FT for a few years now.

GM Performance part number 19212670 has been around for a long time for the Solstice, Sky and HHR SS. They added a kit in late 09 for the Cobalt SS.

Two map sensors and a computer flash is all it takes.

I see boost on a regular basis up to 24 PSI where I live.

The kit will not void the GM drivetrain warranty.

It is the best $400 you will spend.

GM has more kits like this coming for the present 2.0 Turbo cars so the Malibu may be able to take more power yet. Keep in mind the engine as it is will do 400 HP with no mods needed to be reliable. Even over that it only needs pistons and rods to make over 500 HP. This is a damn good engines.

From the pictures above it the car looks nice I think it looks great, maybe small changes but good changes. I don’t know why some of you guys want a baby Impala, because if they did you would hear everybody else complaining its a baby Impala. The car to me looks nice and I’m glad to see GM with cars that don’t resemble each other or overlap each other like in this Chevy lineup. That creates a variety and thats good.

Over all this is about what I expected. The nose while not radically changed does look much better and flows with the body more. The high hood needed to get some help to make the styling flow better. This does it.

The rear seat should be better as even this small amount will make a big difference. Moving the seat back will help.

The other post on this site with the Impala nose again was very misleading as there was just no way to get the real thing to fit that well and look right. Besides they need the two cars to look a little different.

This will buy them time till this cars time is up. This one will not be around as long as the last one was. The segment is too important and fast changing to let this one rot on the lot.

I agree – different models of the same brand should have a brand signature appearance, but not look identical. I think that Buick Regal/LaCrosse/Verano front ends (and maybe even the ATS/XTS) have TOO much similarity in their looks that the average person doesn’t know the difference. The narrower top slot reminds me of the Cruze for some reason, and the overall grill reminds me of the Sonata Hybrid a little, but overall, it still looks like a Chevy. And for some reason, the new front end makes the rear quarters looks a little more like they belong, not sure why…

If you look closely at the high res photos out there, the grill pattern looks a little like a bunch of stacked chevy bowties, very cool.

the new front end is a fresh look, a little more aggressive looking, not bad. I just don’t understand why every article about this car describes it as the grill from the Impala, they even throw in a pic of the two side by side to prove it’s not!

It had it’s day in the sun last year and made a small impression. GM is going to push the LT and LTZ models here to enhance the image of this car. With the Eco it was more basic and just helped the critics try to tag the Malibu with the rental badge.

With the upper scale cars now brought to the front we will see a more enhanced image of this car.

Besides the ECO Cruze does a better job at saving fuel and is cheaper and not really a bad car. It has kind of left the BU Eco as a secondary player in this segment.